Our Privacy/Cookie Policy contains detailed information about the types of cookies & related technology on our site, and some ways to opt out. By using the site, you agree to the uses of cookies and other technology as outlined in our Policy, and to our Terms of Use.

Should 2-Year-Olds Get Medical Marijuana?

byJudy DuttonJun 28, 2013

Photograph by Getty Images

It’s a fact: Most parents don’t
want their kids using marijuana—and the younger the kid, the stronger our kneejerk
reservations. So then why is a family in New Jersey fighting to get its 2-year-old access to the drug?

The reason, of course, is
“medical.” Everyone and their mother, it seems, is smoking weed for “medical
reasons." But in this case we believe the need is legit. Vivian
Wilson from Scotch Plains, N.J. suffers from a severe form of epilepsy
called Dravet Syndrome. Here’s the parent’s description of what that’s like, from Letters4Vivan.com:

“Vivian started having
seizures at 2 months old. Her seizures all lasted 25 to 60 minutes and would not
stop without large doses of rescue medications. By the age of 13 months Vivian
had failed five different pharmaceutical medications in various combinations. For
the past year Vivian has been on a special high-fat diet proven successful for
epilepsy, yet she still seizes every day, on average 15 times.”

A certain type of marijuana called
cannabidiol (CBD) could alleviate this problem. And, unlike typical strains, it is non
psychoactive, so there is no "high." Vivian received her medical
marijuana card in February 2013, but to date she has not received the drug due to the state’s restrictions.

“The
dispensaries can only sell three strains, and the strain that Vivian needs isn’t
as popular,” explains Meghan Wilson, Vivian’s mother. Since Vivian can’t
exactly toke up and inhale, she’ll need an edible form not sold in the state’s
dispensaries.

Vivian’s
parents say that if a bill before New Jersey Governor Chris Christie gets
passed, it could loosen restrictions and get Vivian a drug she dearly needs. For
more information, visit Letters4Vivan.com.